…as foreign owned shops, businesses were fire bombed
The South African police failed to protect non-nationals when they were recently attacked by the locals in Durban, NewsSpecng learnt.
According to findings, Foreign owned shops were targeted and fire bombed by the locals suspected to be MK veterans.
The response of the police has made many among the non-nationals to alleged that the attacks were clearly an act of xenophobia against foreigners.
Narrating the urgly event that took place in the early hours of Monday 25th January, 2021, the President, Nigerian Citizens Association (NICASA), Prince Benjamin Okoli said information about the attack was circulated on the social media on Sunday, which was early enough for the police to take precautionary measure and nip it in the bud before it occurred.
However, he said the police failed to protect the non-nationals and their businesses.
He said, “There was an ugly development in Durban Kwazulu Natal which occurred in early hours of 25 Monday 2021.
” Foreign owned shops were targeted and fire bombed by the locals suspected to be MK veterans. This attacks is clearly an act of xenophobia against foreigners.
“According to the NICASA Chairman in the province Hon Bartholomew Eziagulu, the police did nothing to help the victims of this attacks. In his report to the national leadership of NICASA and to the Consul General Mr Abdulmalik Mike Ahmed, he lamented that some of this attacks happened in the full view of the police. A few Nigerian owned shops were affected in this ugly incident. We are still busy taking the inventory of their loss.
“This unfortunate development happened at a very critical time where people are finding it extremely very difficult to cope with their financial situations occasioned by the Covid19 restrictions. We decry the incessant unprovoked attacks on foreigners especially on Nigerians. People’s means of livelihood are destroyed at the whims of the locals simply because of prejudice.
” Information of this attack was circulated on the social media on sunday, early enough for the police to take precautionary measure and nip it in the bud before it occurred.
” The police clearly failed to protect the business owner that were attacked.
The Consul General Mr Abdulmalik Mike Ahmed has been briefed on the development. We continue to monitor the situation with hope that it does not escalate.”
NICASA President therefore appeal to the South African security agencies to investigate the incident.
“We appeal to the relevant South African Authorities especially the Police, the Kwazulu Natal Provincial govt and the national government to investigate this matter with aim of bringing the culprits to justice,” he said.
